Mariano, Rodrygo, Figo, Champions League — Real Madrid round-up

After starting the season 3-0, Real Madrid tied its last La Liga match, settling for a 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has ruled out the possibility of the club featuring in a La Liga fixture in the United States.

Modric captained his country to the World Cup final in Russian Federation, where they lost 4-2 to France.

It took a wonderfully struck free-kick from Isco right at the end of the first half for Real to take a deserved lead, and their dominance continued in the second half. Hopefully we can all be at his level.

Yet the Madrid president recognises the impact the Ballon d'Or holder had on the club.

"Luka's year has been spectacular", the Brazilians told reporters, according to FourFourTwo.

Asked about Cristiano Ronaldo's summer exit from Real, he said, "It would have been a pleasure to play with him", adding: "I want to follow in his footsteps".

"I wasn't nervous at all when they started to criticise us two weeks ago, as if everything was lost and we were dead, and now we are the best in the world", said Atletico defender Juanfran. "The club never said anything to me about it and I didn't have the chance to decide".

A three-goal win against Roma at the Santiago Bernabeu gave three-time reigning European champions Madrid three Group G points in their first game in the competition under new head coach Julen Lopetegui.

His Roma counterpart called Real "a team of champions", saying Ronaldo's 100 million-euro (S$160 million) exit to Juventus was never going to change that.

Lopetegui is yet to declare who is his number one, with Thibaut Courtois having played in the previous two league games after his big-money move from Chelsea. He has instead been playing for Real's reserve side Real Madrid Castilla in the third tier of Spanish soccer. "He wanted to go by subjects people and the most that has gone has been for that amount, we have not had many more offers". That was very important as we weren't able to kill the game off.

Popular news

Iran vows bloody revenge on US, Israel and Saudis
The procession walked down the Naderi and Zand Streets, many weeping and beating their chests, a traditional way of showing grief. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif added fire to the flames, blaming the group's alleged "US masters" for the damage done.

How the world reacted to Tiger Woods’ historic victory
Bjørn was, however, full of praise for Woods's latest and 80th PGA Tour triumph achieved after four back surgeries. Current captain Thomas Bjorn, who had some memorable battles with Woods as a player, also welcomed his return.

Supply stand-off pushes oil to four-year high
Kazempour said that he viewed Washington's increased political pressure on Iran and OPEC "something which can not be accepted". Iran's Ministry of Petroleum confirmed on Sunday that South Korea has halted oil imports from the Islamic republic.

SiriusXM to Acquire Music Streaming Company Pandora
Under the terms of the merger, Pandora stock holders will receive 1.44 shares of SiriusXM for each of their existing shares. Following the completion of the deal, SiriusXM will become the world's largest provider of audio entertainment.

Two-headed Copperhead snake found in Virginia
A United States woman found an "exceptionally rare" venomous, two-headed snake while doing a bit of gardening. Both heads are capable of catching and swallowing prey - and that's where the trouble starts.